Dumped Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder was considered by Newcastle United last season.
The Athletic reports Wilder was on their radar to replace Rafa Benitez in the summer of 2019.
But the Magpies opted to raid the Blades' city rivals instead as Steve Bruce swapped Sheffield Wednesday for Newcastle United.
Wilder left his role as Sheffield United manager after a five-year journey that saw him take the Blades from mid-table in League One to a top-half finish in the Premier League last term.
However, things could have been different had the Magpies followed through with their interest and made an official approach for the 53-year-old ahead of the start of last season.
Wilder is set to be one of the hottest properties on the managerial market this summer as he weighs up his next move while Sheffield United are almost certainly set to be relegated to the Championship after a 5-0 defeat to Leicester City on Sunday.
